Wednesday, March 17, 2010

!!Contest!!

We have a real, down to earth, contest for Rolling Around in My Head readers. I've been working on a new book and it needs a cover designed for it. We were talking about it today and trying to come up with ideas for a design or an image that catches the theme of the book. The book is about working to keep people safe within systems. The idea we want to convey is the sense you get when you are at home, snuggled in and feeling safe.

Mike and I tossed around ideas, he wasn't impressed with mine and I didn't like his. As we had come to a stalemate he said, in a moment of inspired brilliance, 'Why not ask your blog readers to come up with some ideas as to what images or pictures would portray that feeling. We could offer the winner the first off the press book as a prize.'

I thought that was a marvelous idea. I know the readers here to be creative, inspired and talented people. Who better to ask. So put your thinking caps on. You can put the ideas in the comment section or you can email them to me. We'll choose a winner if we find an idea that we are going to go with - next Wednesday. So you've got a week. Get thinking!

25 comments:

A snuggie blanket (https://www.freesnuggie.com/?mid=547741&a=55959&s=) with the names of some of the systems participating or mentioned in the book on the snuggli on person on the couch w/remote , cuppa tea in other hand, visible steam, beautific smile on face.

A picture of someone snuggled up in their own bed, which is quite simply the comfiest coziest place in the world for most of us.

For the idea of protection, I was thinking something around the bed or room (not something solid or encaging), that will act as a visual clue that that person is kept safe (a mosquito net? The bedoom door?) and a visual representation of the potential dangers being held at bay outside of that barrier.

How about a group of friends around a kitchen table having snacks and beverages, laughing, playing cards or a game and enjoying each others company. The person who lives there could be serving something to show that it is their home they are entertaining their friends in. I think that being surounded by friends and people who love you makes you feel safe. To bring in the snuggled feeling you can have a winter scene in a window and they are warm and comfortable inside.

A picture that represents a family (maybe not an actual photo but an artistic representation), but have the family members be of different races and ethnicities, different levels of ability, etc. Perhaps have this family sitting on the porch or stoop of a large home (which represents the system).

I'm thinking of being snuggled in a comfy chair in fromt of a fireplace. A library in the back ground with many books some with Dave titles. The person in the chair is dreaming of being safe within the system with different system names in bubbles above their head.

Yet to find any system, being in which has been of any advantage or at all safe for me and yet staying as far outside the system as possible has not as yet killed me off and we can say we have achieved everything we have without and often despite the "Systems".

Perhaps a symbolic Joan of Arc in a Wheelchair fending off gigantic medusa like transformer claws with a Walking Stick

Reread all the comments and I would ask it to be noted that Differently Enabled or Injured (And I am both) People are most often portrayed as lazy layabouts who lie in bed all day or sit at home doing nothing when they should be productive members of the community.

We need something Aggressive Eye catching and right in the face of conventional views that will bring a wry smile to the faces of those in the know

What about an view of someone walking the front door (their perspective) and all the people in theirs lives that make them feel safe in their home environment? When I thought about what makes me feel snugly and safe, the image that popped into my mind, was off coming home from work and opening the door and seeing my love ones inside.Michelle

Mike: I think of that image you did for us of the black and white falling apart barn and in the middle in colour the tree. The centre symbolizes safety and hope the outside fear, loneliness and harm. Wonder if we can use some of the suggestions with that kind of look. Unfortunately, for me the first thing I think of that represents comfort and warmth (and safety too) are my slippers!

Easily: book, tea, blanket/shawl/similar - gathered round where one's sitting, if not actually snuggled into. (Optional cat.) And an oversized armchair or beanbag, in which to snuggle down as one could when a child. (But not, given the context, a picture *of a child.) Preferably in a corner, so that there's no scope for unexpected approach.

Probably not too concretely portayed, if you went that way: line drawing or something rather than photo, because the power is in the suggestion.

Or perhaps, a tree-house, with just the end of a retracted rope ladder visible. (There are some rather impressive tree-houses about. And that power to retract the ladder at will is surely what safety is all about?)

Or the same idea more simply, a hand holding the key to a door.

Fascinated that there are people who associate *people* with safety.

Amanda's (Donna Williams')sculpture gives me the creeps, fwiw. It strikes me that almost anything interpersonal (the proverbial picture of one hand holding another) has that potential; people are the greatest source of unsafety there is.

The words that came to mind when I read your blog were 'A womb with a view' playing on the epic film title. Womb - safe and secure View- that people can still have opportunties and not be cocooned. Quite what that might look like pictorially, I don't know. I am sure that someone could come up with something.

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Disability Pride

Dedication

About Me

Joe and I live in an apartment right smack dab in the center of Toronto. I have worked in the field of disability since graduating from university over 30 years ago. I became disabled a few years ago now and use a wheelchair when out in the world. For those interested, most of my books are available through www.diverse-city.com and if you are wishing to book a lecture or consultation you may do so by emailing daveandjoe@hotmail.com

Best Health Blog 2010

Requiem

There are those who have affected the course of my work and my career. I wish to remember them here:

Stella Young

Manuela Dalla Nora

Bob Clayton

Viktor Frankl

Robert Sovner

Marsha Forrest

Terry Haslam

John Money

Susan Tough

Sol Gordon

Winnifred Kempton

I believe that we should speak often and well of those who passed our way and whose lives gifted us. Here in this space I wish to memorialize those whose lived lives in service to those with disabilities.